Actor says she felt ‘forced’ to announce daughter’s premature arrival
February 26, 2026: Actor Priyanka Chopra recently revealed that she felt “forced” to publicly announce the birth of her daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas, during a deeply personal and traumatic phase. Speaking on Jay Shetty’s podcast, Priyanka shared that Malti was born prematurely at 27 weeks and had to be admitted to the NICU. She said the couple received a message indicating that news of the birth would be leaked to the media within hours, compelling them to make the announcement before they were emotionally ready.
Priyanka described the period as overwhelming, noting that only one person was allowed inside the NICU at a time. Her mother, Madhu Chopra, and her in-laws travelled to be by their side during the difficult weeks. She said the leak added further pressure at a time when the family was focused solely on their daughter’s health and survival. Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu reacted to a clip from the podcast by resharing it on her Instagram stories, expressing solidarity.
Priyanka married singer Nick Jonas in 2018 in Rajasthan in both Christian and Hindu ceremonies. Their daughter Malti was born via surrogacy in January 2022. The actor’s candid remarks have resonated widely, shedding light on the emotional challenges faced during her daughter’s early days.